Programs

The goal of both a Montessori and a traditional class is the same – to provide learning experiences for the child according to a prescribed curriculum. The differences between the two lie in the kind of learning experiences provided and the method used to achieve this goal. Montessori educators believe that both elements are important because they help shape what a child learns, the work habits she forms, and her attitude toward herself and the world around her.

Montessori recognized the advantage of educating children in multiple age groupings over a three-year learning cycle. For example, most children begin a Montessori preschool program when they are 2-1/2 to 3 years old and continue until the age of 5 or 6 years. Similarly, once enrolled in an elementary program, he/she will remain with the same classroom community for Years 1 through 3 before progressing on to the Senior Elementary class, etc. The maximum benefit of Montessori education is derived from enrolling a child in a Montessori Preschool program and continuing through the Elementary years. Within these cycles of learning (which Montessori termed “Planes of Development”), the child is continually solidifying his/her knowledge, further mastering skills, and is embracing more abstract ideas as he/she progresses in readiness for the next level.

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[p]All-Day Casa is designed for preschool age children who wish to enrol in our Casa program and also require full-day care. A complete Montessori preschool program is taught in the mornings followed by lunch, outside play, nap time and structured group activities. Depending on the child’s developmental or situational needs, nap time may be incorporated into the afternoon program. This program operates year-round, with closures of approximately one week between Christmas and the New Year, one day at the end of June, and three days at the end of August along with all Statuatory Holidays and three Professional Days.

All-Day Casa hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

This program is available for children ages 2 1/2 to 6 years on a full time basis (5 days per week).[/p]

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The most absorbent years are a child’s first 6 years of life. As a result, Children of Integrity Montessori Academy regards early childhood education as the very foundation of everything that follows. Program materials encourage children to develop naturally at their own pace, proceeding from simple activities to more complex ones.

Children are allowed the freedom to choose activities (Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics, Cultural, and Social) which satisfy their curiosity, nurture their sense of wonder and foster independence. Through these activities and the special encouragement and support from the Montessori faculty mentors, the child begins to develop skills of concentration and attention to detail. With guidance through this challenging and individualized program that ensures success, the child develops confidence and life skills that prepare him/her for kindergarten and life beyond.

The Junior Extended Day program (JED) is designed for four year olds who are ready for a full-day Montessori Preschool program, who no longer nap, and who do not require care outside of regular school hours of 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Casa Options:

4 Hour AM Casa (8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)

PM Casa (12:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.)

Junior Extended Day (JED) (8:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.)

For children ages 2 1/2 – 5 years old

Casa Programs are offered 5 days a week, Monday through Friday

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Development and reinforcement of skills are the main focus of Children of Integrity Montessori Kindergarten, in preparation for elementary school. The focus of learning is concentration, order, sequence, and skills adapted to the child’s culture with practical life materials. Language activities and materials are used to increase vocabulary and conversational skills, develop writing and reading skills. This is the beginning of understanding grammar.

Hands on math materials give the child a clear and concrete foundation on which to build their own abstractions. Other components include geographical concepts, peoples of the world, simple science experiments, botany, zoology, art and music.

This group is becoming very social, and cooperative learning is common. Their year is crowned by a graduation event complete with appropriate pomp and ceremony as they move into the elementary programs!

Monday through Friday, 5 days a week
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Children of Integrity Montessori Elementary classrooms are organized around the childs developmental stages and divided into 3 year age groupings. Their environment is the ‘backdrop’, with the child as the initiator of his/her own educational experience.

Elementary (Grade 1 – Grade 3)

(Developmental phase age 6 – 9)

Children in this age grouping are generally less sensitive to sensorial input and are showing greater abilities in abstract rather than concrete thinking. They are ready for more group work, independent learning, and to further broaden their knowledge of a wide variety of subjects. Building on their intense curiosity and sense of imagination, they are guided to follow their own interests in learning. Beginning with the Timeline of Life, the Universe is opened to them, and they gain confidence in recognizing their own place in relation to the whole. The students experience “global education”, learning the “Great Stories” of the universe, the development of language and math, and the history of civilization.

Their lessons in the basic concepts of language, mathematics, geography, and science are interwoven around these larger themes, thereby giving the students a contextual framework for mastery of their work. Math materials move from the concrete to the more abstract, and a guided discovery of geometry leads the student to discover formulas and theorems. Language emphasizes creative writing, spelling, correct expression, and grammatical form. Biology studies include zoology and botany, giving the student an understanding of their relationship within the world.

Traditionally, the students embark on an overnight camp experience in June of each year. Benefits from this brief stay are tremendous, from helping establish class bonds, to gaining independence, to learning social and environmental awareness skills.

The completion of the three-year Elementary program is celebrated with a graduation ceremony, marking the eagerly anticipated transition to the Senior Elementary classroom.
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Children of Integrity Montessori Elementary classrooms are organized around the childs developmental stages and divided into 3 year age groupings. Their environment is the ‘backdrop’, with the child as the initiator of his/her own educational experience.

Senior Elementary (Grade 4 -Grade 7)

(Developmental phase age 9 – 12)

The imagination increases and concepts are presented and abstracted with fewer manipulative materials. Hands-on activities broaden in scope and include practical application outside the classroom. Projects become more involved and diverse in nature.

The focus narrows to community oriented study. The student is exposed to all types of communities: ‘neighborhood communities’, ‘school communities’ and a variety of community activities. They are given the opportunity to explore and develop their personal empowerment within each community.

At the end of their Senior Elementary years, students are well-prepared to move on to the next level of learning at the Middle School level. This important milestone is marked with a formal graduation ceremony.
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